Hawaii Board of Education: Approve the Appeal for the North Shore Middle School's Charter

The North Shore community has repeatedly demonstrated its need for an alternative to the transition from elementary schools to the intimidating 7th -12th grade high school setting currently offered to North Shore students. Since 2010, a group of community professionals has collaborated and, following the Hawaii State Charter School Application guidelines, produced an innovative blended learning charter school application. Even though the North Shore Middle School governing board submitted a worthy application and believe that they will prevail in their appeal for a charter for North Shore students, they are concerned because of a potential two-year delay in the charter granting process.

The North Shore Middle School wants the Hawaii Board of Education to approve their appeal, which is scheduled to be decided upon before April 1, 2013.

Additionally, this Thursday, March 14th, the Charter Commission will address a proposed change to the application timeline to “consider a recommendation to initiate the next application process in late 2013/early 2014” (agenda item VII.C.2) which, if approved, could effectively delay the opening of any charter school until at the earliest 2015.

Letter to

Executive DirectorTom Hutton

Board MembersHawaii Board of Education

Board MembersHawaii Charter School Commissioners

and 5 others

State SenatorClayton Hee

State RepresentativeRichard Fale

State RepresentativeLauren Cheape

Hawaii State House

Hawaii State Senate

The North Shore community has repeatedly voiced its need for an alternative school setting for children transitioning from elementary schools to the intimidating 7th -12th grade high school setting currently offered to North Shore students. On or before April 1, 2013, the Hawai‘i Board of Education will issue its final decision to the North Shore Middle School's appeal. The North Shore Middle School governing board submitted a worthy application and believes that they will prevail in their appeal for a charter for North Shore students. Since 2010, a group of community professionals has collaborated and produced an innovative blended learning charter school application that is aligned Hawaii State Charter School Application guidelines. Nonetheless, the board is deeply concerned that in the event of a denial of its appeal, the North Shore community will be forced to wait two more school years to reenlist in the charter school application process. This Thursday, March 14th, the Charter Commission will consider a change to the application timeline to initiate the next application process in late 2013/early 2014, which, if approved, could effectively delay the opening of any charter school until at the earliest 2015. For the North Shore community, this would mean a minimum of five years from when the North Shore Middle School governing board intended to open its doors. For the North Shore community, any further delay in providing an alternative middle school option is intolerable and unacceptable. In conclusion, the North Shore Middle School respectfully asks the Hawaii Board of Education to approve its appeal. Thank you for your consideration.